Distance Commuter

I'm thinking about a Subaru for my next car. I drive about 50K mi/year (!) and like to do a fair bit of my own maintenance. Got to have a wagon, I just like the space. I live in New England, so it has to handle weather well. How about auto tranny vs. stick?? I can drive either. A stick needs a clutch periodically (big bucks for a shop to do), and an auto, well, if it goes bad, it's real expensive. With the RWD Volvo's we're using now the auto trannys are bulletproof, so that's the answer to the tranny question for our Volvos. How about the Subie trannies?? Seems the Imprezzas kept the reliable 2.2L engine through 2001. I've read too many horror stories re. the 2.5 HG issues. I know it's supposedly mostly fixed, but why ask for trouble?? So I thought a late Imprezza wagon would be good, but I don't see nearly as many of those on the market as Legacy/Outbacks and Foresters. What's up here?? Is there a negative on the Imprezzas that I'm missing?? Don't need lots of seats. Mostly I drive alone, sometimes with the wife. Kids are grown, driving Hyundai's - ugh.

I don't suppose she thought you drove like a turtle when you were in high school!

The recent thread re. Cruise Control discussed that the 2.2L has a hard time keeping a steady highway speed on hills. How about with the 2.5L engine?

How easy / difficult is it to add LSD to a 2000 or later Subaru?

Thanks. I also saw some posts re. NASIOC Subies handling poorly in slippery weather without AWD engaged. So it looks like it should be kept in AWD unless temporarily for some specific reason, like maybe an off-size tire in use due to lack of the right one, or a mech. problem in the rear end, etc.

Mmaxamutt wrote "The fuse is to lock out AWD on automatic cars only... " Is this for all auto trans. Subarus? Within years range when to when?? I too drive about 150 mi. daily. Will I save fuel with the fuse in? OK to drive regularly that way, or is this only for emergencies?? Thanks in advance.

No kidding! I also live in Mystic, commute to Milford, Mass daily. Just over 1.5 hours each way. Rain, snow or shine.

Pardon my ignorance - OBW = Outback (what)? Sorry to hear it blew the gasket. Hope it was under warranty!

Thanks, guys (and ladies too). Keep the notes and comments coming - I'm learning more about these cars as you keep writing. Is the 2.5 L easy to work on like the 2.2? Re. Volvo repair costs, my local area has tons of old Volvos and multiple independent shops that know how to work on them. This helps keep pro repair costs down. Not to mention that they're easy to work on in a driveway, which I do plenty. Also a national-level web-based parts seller right near home, with great stock and prices. So it's been good. But they stopped making that line in '93, and nothing lasts forever, though apparently Subies and Volvos make a good attempt at it.

Thanks, this is all good to know. What is Subaru Aero?? Airplane engines??

Are there years or versions of the 2.5L that are truly reliable? What is the core problem with them, and what did they do to fix? If we're to buy a Subaru, I think it will have to be from 2000 or later as there were significant safety improvements, esp. in the Legacy line. So, likely no 2.2L engines for us. Background - Thinking about a Legacy and/or Forester for our next cars. Our mechanic likes Subarus! We've been driving Volvo 240's for 10 years. (owned 4, for 3 drivers) Want to find another car that is super reliable and very safe.